With the growing nursing shortage, state legislatures have introduced legislation in 9 states to increase the number of students who graduate from nursing programs by offering students loan forgiveness options, grants and scholarships as well as providing funding to schools of nursing to expand nursing programs, staff and faculty.

Legislation passed in 2001: IL legislation amends the Nursing Education Scholarship Law, RI legislation allows interest on student loans to be forgiven while TX law makes grants to nursing programs to increase enrollment. OR legislation allows payment of student loans for nurses practicing in nursing shortage areas. Two bills were passed this year in NE -The first provides eligible students with a loan forgiveness program after practicing nursing for an agreed upon period while the second bill provides loan repayment to nurses who agree to practice in a shortage area. Legislation enacted in NV mandates that enrollment in schools of nursing be doubled by 2006. Legislation passed this year in VA provides scholarship and loan repayment programs for nurses.